Scotland
Cocker Hill
503M
1650FT
About Cocker Hill
Situated in the heart of the Southern Uplands, this 503-metre summit offers a quiet alternative to the busier Lowther peaks. The terrain is typical of the region—rolling grass and peat hags—providing a straightforward but often spongy ascent with wide views over the nearby Daer Reservoir and the surrounding moorland.
Key Statistics
Rank
234th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
118m
Nearest Town
Sanquhar
Geology
Cocker Hill is shaped from the Kirkcolm Formation, a durable type of muddy sandstone that forms the solid ground beneath your boots.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS757153
Latitude
55.4167°N
Longitude
3.9639°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Scots 'cock', a term frequently used in the Southern Uplands to describe a prominent point on a ridge or a hill frequented by moorland birds like the blackcock.
- •It is typically climbed from the south or east, often as part of a long, undulating ridge walk that includes Daer Hass and the higher summits overlooking the Daer Reservoir.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the Daer Reservoir directly to the east, set against the backdrop of the rolling Lowther range.
- •On a clear day, the distinctive white radar dome on Lowther Hill is visible to the north-west, serving as a useful navigational handrail for the wider area.
- •The ascent is a classic example of Southern Upland terrain, where the main challenge isn't the gradient, but navigating the intricate patchwork of moss and hidden peat hags.